24 November, 2017 | 15:47

Today, 24 November 2017, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Armenia and the European Union was signed at the occasion of the 5th Eastern Partnership Summit. The Agreement, the first one signed by the EU with an EAEU member country, was thoroughly negotiated for 15 months and initialed in March 2017.

The Document has been signed within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Summit by the foreign minister of Armenia Eduard Nalbandyan and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Frederica Mogherini.

“This is a historic day for EU-Armenia relations, marking a fresh start for deepening and strengthening of relations between partners. This modern, ambitious and comprehensive agreement paves the way to a new era of prosperity, partnership and reforms, and European Friends of Armenia stand ready to ensure its success”, EuFoA Director Diogo Pinto stated.

“CEPA is not an end, but rather the beginning of a new, even more demanding phase. Armenia now has new tools, is better equipped to continue reforms which will ensure that the Armenian state and society become even better, fairer, wealthier and more democratic,” Mr Pinto added.

Implementation of the CEPA will ensure the continuation of reforms undertaken in the past several years, especially in the areas such as rule of law, consolidation of judiciary, development of public and social institutions and good governance.

Taking into account the political and economic interests shared by both sides, the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement provides the framework for stronger cooperation between Armenia and the European Union in different sectors of economy, including energy, transport, environment and trade.

CEPA gives Armenia the opportunity to deepen its ties with the EU and its Member States, and, as the first agreement of that kind, it could serve as an example and a blueprint for EU’s future relations with other countries covered by the wider European Neighbourhood Policy.

Earlier today, an EU – Armenia Aviation Agreement was initialed, creating a wide range of opportunities for better and more intensive air connections between European cities and Armenia, enhancing people-to-people contacts and further increasing economic exchange.

“The next major step in EU-Armenian relations should therefore be visa liberalisation, which would solidify the devotion of both sides to building bridges between societies and encompass the human dimension of this new partnership,” Mr Pinto concluded.

Remarks by HR/VP Federica Mogherini following the signing of the European Union-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Edward Nalbandian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia

I am very pleased to have signed the new EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement.

This new agreement will broaden the scope of our relations, in view of the global, political and economic interests we share and challenges we want to face together.

This agreement will bring concrete benefits to the people in Armenia and in the European Union. It will strengthen our cooperation in many different fields such as energy, transport and environment, and lead to increased mobility. It will also lead to an improved business environment and to new opportunities in trade and investments.

It is based on our common commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

This agreement is also the first of its kind, as it is concluded with a partner country which is at the same time a member of Eurasian Economic Union and in the Eastern Partnership.

It will now be important to implement it in full, so it can deliver its full benefits. We will work together on implementation and on monitoring the implementation we will bring forward.

The agreement also supports the peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The European Union firmly believes that the conflict needs an early political settlement in accordance with the principles and norms of international law, and continues to fully support the mediation efforts and related proposals of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs in this context.

Thank you very much for the work we have done so far. And let’s wish for the best for the work that is still ahead of us.